My other accomplishment today is another freebie just in case you're thinking about back to school. Basically it's a daily math routine to get students to practice fractions and decimal equivalents. We did this last year after one of my team members shared the idea with us. My contribution to the idea is the recording sheet and sharing it with all of my wonderful followers. :) Each day to jump start our math lesson we get out our hundreds board and write the number of days we've been at school. I know you think this is really basic, but just hang in there with me for a few more sentences.
After students write the whole number we talk about what the fraction would be. Once we've landed on what the fraction would be we write it in the box. We then talk about what the decimal would be. After a few days of class discussion after each entry most students get the hang of the number pattern. On days the fraction can be reduced we talk about how to reduce fractions and how to do it. A week or so into the routine I turn the discussions over to the children and they share their entries and thinking.
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| Recording Sheet |
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| Example of a sheet being filled at the beginning of the year so you can better visualize what I 'm talking about
The fruits of my labor became evident when we dove into our fractions and decimals unit. We do place value at the beginning of the year so this routine was a good jumping off point for decimal place values. The idea and recording sheet are simple; however, the impact it made on student understanding was total worth the 2-3 minute routine each day. Last year I just did it until the 100th day, but this year I'm making the copy double sided to use the entire school year.
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I hope you enjoy and are able to use it with your kids this year. What math routines do you use to help students practice more challenging concepts?
This is such a great idea! I love how you do this every day! In addition to students having one of these in their math notebooks, I'm thinking I might put cards around the room counting the days of school (like the younger grades do) and put the equivalents there, too! I always want to count the number of days of school, but could never think of a justification. This is PERFECT! Thanks for the freebie!
ReplyDeleteKristine White
http://tearlessteaching.blogspot.com/
@Kristine White
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the kind words. I'm glad you now have a way to justify counting the days. ;). I was looking for the same justification as you last year. I even took it a step further and had a 100th day celebration in my 5th grade class. We had so much fun doing grade level appropriate 100th day activities. It was the first time the grade level ever celebrated the 100th day! I was a kindergarten teacher before moving to 5th so I still wanted to have fun in the upper grades. I think I still have a post on here about it and will share more about what we did with freebies when the time gets closer. I like your blog also! Thanks for sharing the link! :))
Will you write the fraction as 1/180 if you do it double sided?
ReplyDeleteActually I would write the fraction 1/200 because there would be 200 squares. We wouldn't get to finish the second hundreds board because school only has between 180-185 days. I hope this helps. :)
DeleteI am teaching math interventions in 6th grade this year, and need some fresh ideas on practicing fractions, decimals, and ESPECIALLY simplifying fractions. LOVE LOVE LOVE this activity! Thanks for sharing on Classroom Freebies :)
ReplyDeleteErin
Shenanigans in 6th Grade Math
Thank you so much for checking out my blog. I plan to upload more of my old posts on TPT as well as any future freebies! :)
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ReplyDeleteDo you use the same chart every day? or do you use a new hundreds chart everyday? Oh, and I'm your newest follower :) Looking forward to reading more about your adventures in 5th grade!
ReplyDeleteErin
I do use the same chart every day. I have a teacher chart on the SMART board for students to come up and write in their answer each day. Also, each student has a copy of the chart in their math folders. As time goes on, it becomes student led with them explaining their thinking (what the fraction/decimal is and how they reduced the fraction if applicable for the day). I randomly pick a different student each day using the app (Stick Pick). So glad you found me and thanks for sharing your blog as well! :)
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